Editor’s Note: A former version of this article stated Marcus Santos-Silva would be returning to the AfterShocks this summer. This has been correctly updated to reflect the roster.
The AfterShocks, Wichita State’s alumni basketball team and reigning champions of The Basketball Tournament is returning to defend its crown and to add $2 million to the team’s previous $1 million dollar win this summer.
TBT will feature 16 teams with eight alumni teams and eight non-alumni teams.
This year, TBT unveiled a new bracket set up due to recording-setting attendance levels last year. Instead of a single-round elimination, the teams will initially face off against each other in a best of three series before returning to single-elimination in future rounds.
In this new bracket, the AfterShocks would only need to win five games to win it all.
Who are the AfterShocks?
The AfterShocks first entered The Basketball Tournament in 2019, playing multiple competitive seasons before finally winning it all last year, in TBT’s most-watched and highest-attended championship game.
The team will be led by Captain and Shocker Alum Markis McDuffie (2015-19), who captained the team to its championship victory last year and most recently played professionally in France.
No other players or coaches have been confirmed yet.
Who will they face?
The AfterShocks will begin its TBT run facing off against The Enchantment, New Mexico’s alumni team at home in Charles Koch Arena.
Game one is scheduled for July 20 at 7 p.m. with game two to follow on July 23 at 8 p.m.
Game three will tip-off at 8 p.m. on July 24, if needed.
The winner of the Wichita-New Mexico series will then take on the winner of the Kansas-Kansas State series in a single game, followed by the alumni championship against the alumni team from Kentucky, Louisville, Syracuse or Seton Hall.
The Alumni Bracket Championship will be played on Wednesday, July 29, at 8 p.m.
Whoever comes out on top from the alumni side of the bracket will then take on the winner from the non-alumni bracket on their school’s home court on Aug. 2.
Where to watch
All games will be televised on Fox Sports 1, except for games two and three against New Mexico, which will air on Fox Sports 2.
Tickets can be purchased from the Wichita State box office or on TBT’s website.
KanExplore • May 21, 2026 at 10:41 am
Is the fact that there are only 8 alumni teams a response to the winner takes all format? How many times do guys want to do this, if there’s likely no financial incentive for most? It’s fun to get together with the bros now and then, but after a while the novelty wears off. Unfortunately I see the changes as a sign of weakness, not strength .